IBM boosts ‘09 guidance again even as sales slump

SAN FRANCISCO — IBM Corp. has jacked up its profit guidance for the second time this year, a sign of the company’s confidence that it can uncork more profit from its business despite falling sales.

The company’s third-quarter results, reported after the market closed Thursday, show that corporations are still reluctant to spend on some kinds of technology. IBM’s sales fell 7 percent, and all its major divisions suffered declines.

But IBM keeps making more money — net income was up 14 percent — largely because it has been focusing on outsourcing and other services that save clients money and are more profitable for IBM than selling hardware. That has been the key element of IBM’s transformation from a hardware company on the brink of collapse in the 1990s to a one-stop technology shop that rivals are trying to emulate.

Nearly a fifth of the company’s revenue still comes from hardware, however, and IBM’s chief financial officer, Mark Loughridge, said in an interview that a significant help in the quarter came from market share gains in servers at the expense of Sun Microsystems Inc.

IBM has exploited uncertainty about Oracle Corp.’s proposed $7.4 billion takeover of Sun, the world’s No. 4 server maker, to steal customers. That deal still needs antitrust approval in Europe.

IBM says 2009 earnings should be at least $9.85 per share, ahead of analysts’ forecasts for $9.78 per share, according to Thomson Reuters. IBM had raised its guidance before, in July, to at least $9.70 per share.

Despite IBM’s optimistic forecast, some investors apparently expected an even greater increase. IBM shares fell 3.7 percent in extended trading after closing the regular session at $127.98, down 37 cents.

“A lot of us thought you might get even better than this,” said Peter Misek, an analyst with Canaccord Adams. “But these results are solid.”

The recession has made it hard to win new business. Corporations have coped with evaporating revenue by canceling or delaying big technology projects. Indeed, the value of services contracts that IBM signed in the quarter was $11.8 billion, a decline of 7 percent from the same period in 2008.

One sign of the lingering distress came this month in disappointing guidance from the Accenture consulting firm, an IBM competitor. It hesitated to predict the timing for a full recovery in business spending. Another technology bellwether, Intel Corp., has been talking up a recovery in personal computer sales, but warned this week corporate spending would likely remain weak until the new year.

In IBM’s third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, net income was $3.2 billion, or $2.40 per share, ahead of analysts’ expectation for $2.38 per share. In the same period last year, IBM’s profit was $2.8 billion, or $2.04 per share.

Sales were $23.6 billion, slightly better than the $23.4 billion expected by analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. Revenue would have been down 5 percent instead of 7 percent if it were not for currency fluctuations. A weak dollar means deals IBM does in other currencies translate into more greenbacks.

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IBM boosts ‘09 guidance again even as sales slump

IREX's Digital Reader is Ready for its Closeup

The battle of the e-readers is really heating up with the addition of yet another contender. The new reader, the Irex DR800SG hails from IREX Technologies. According to the press release, 8.1-inch touchscreen e-reader uses electronic paper display technology that will give users the feeling that they're reading a traditional paper better than tablets and netbooks, It also boast faster page turning speeds and customizable read settings.

Equipped with 3G multi-mode functionality, the Irex is unloading the big guns, able to access 3G networks worldwide. In addition, the device has some big name companies backing it up including world's largest book seller, Barnes & Nobles which means that greedy bookworms will have over 750,000 titles to devour and that includes new releases and bestsellers. Verizon Wireless will be on hand to provide the 3G connectivity while Qualcomm, wireless telecommunications company will be providing its mobile broadband technology via the Gobi multi-mode 3G embedded module.

Acer's 3D notebook Aspire 5738DG gets the official nod

Acer has finally come out with the real specs for its much flaunted 3D laptop - the Aspire 5738DG - and gathering from first hand experiences, it remains pretty much a normal laptop except for a moderately satisfying 3D gaming experience.

The Aspire 5738DG boasts a 15.6-inch screen specially designed for 3D effects, and carries within a 2.2GHz Intel Core2 Duo T6600 processor, running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. The gaming uses TriDef's software which provides the 3D environment, and according to the folks at PC Magazine, the 3D effects will not make you fall off your chair. Take your 3D glasses off and the princess gets back to being Cinderella. That's then the basic Aspire laptop with 4GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, ATI Radeon HD 4570 graphics, and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. Suitable for gaming enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive laptop. Acer's shipping the laptop this week at a pretty unassuming $779.99.

Via SlashGear.

CEATEC gets Sharp to show off NetWalker, its smartphone-netbook combo

Sharp has cleverly walked into the as-yet-unnoticed space between two electronic giants - the smartphone and the netbook - by introducing NetWalker PC-Z1, a mini netbook with a 5-inch WSVGA touchscreen interface, developed for the Japanese market.

The NetWalker showed up at CEATEC Japan and promises to cater to those ambiguous minds which are eternally undecided between using a chic touchscreen or sticking to the old-fashioned convenience of a tactile keyboard. The device comes bundled with 4GB memory, microSD slot, optical pointer, a USB port, WiFi and a robust battery life of 10 hours. It runs on Ubuntu and offers all the conveniences of a standard netbook in addition to being a portable electronic dictionary and e-book reader.

The NetWalker is scheduled for a late October release in Japan at a price of 44,800 yen (US $500). And oh, you can get your first impressions with this detailed unboxing from the folks over at Pocketables before you schedule that next vacation to Japan.

Via DVICE.

In Case of an Emergency, C.Y.A. with the Sterling Multi PowerStation

In case of a natural disaster, the Red Cross suggests that we have a couple of emergency kits prepared for each possible event - tornado, hurricane, fire, etc. Each kit should have basic survival fare like water, food, tools, and a first-aid kit. But what happens if you need to call for help and your cell phone has gone dead.

If you're smart enough to seek out this device, you'll never have to answer that question. The Sterling Multi PowerStation 5600 is a functional and practical gadget to have around in case of an emergency. The PowerStation is a hand-cranked, solar-powered gadget that can solve your power problems with a turn of the wrist. The device can fully recharge the included 3 AA rechargeable batteries, play FM/AM radio, and light a LED flashlight.

The best part of this potential lifesaver is its ability to charge cell phones and other mobile device through the packaged adapters. Unfortunately, this is currently a Japan-exclusive, so if you want to add this handy gizmo to your emergency kit, you'll have to export it over. But at $65 plus shipping fees, this isn't a bad piece of tech to have in the collection, especially when disaster strikes.

Via Gizmodo

The Eyes Have It with LED Lashes

I've never been a fan of false eyelashes. Something about the idea of putting glue anywhere near my eyes gives me the willies. So when I saw these, I was extra freaked out. These falsies actually have LED's attached to them (Great, glue and lights?).

As much as they give me the heebie jeebies, I definitely admire the creativity of Soomi Park, the funky eyelash creator. The LED eyelashes are rigged to turn on when the wearer tilts their head a certain way. Eye phobia aside, these would be an awesome addition to a Holloween costume or we might be looking at the eyewear of the future.

Via Craziest Gadgets

Pink is the Color of Love...and Gaming

I'm an avid gamer and quiet as it's kept, a hopeless romantic. So when I stumbled upon this during my journeys through the blogosphere, I had to investigate. A Flickr user, created this custom painted Xbox 360 controller for his girlfriend. Why? Because the girlfriend wanted a "special controller". You can let the simultaneous shower of Awwwwws begin now.

As you can see this is one lucky girl, as her beau obviously put some serious love and patience into the project to produce such a quality mod. When I first saw the pic, I thought Xbox had released a new controller. At any rate, this is a victory for quality modding, hours of uninterrupted co-op gaming, and of course, love.

Via Technabob

Hourglass coffee maker drips coffee as you doze

What caught my attention about this Hourglass Coffee Maker was not its looks. Not even that it is an ingenious idea to use the hourglass to churn out great coffee. But that you need to use cold water to make a cuppa with this fella. Now that is not something that is wired into our brains, is it?

The portable Hourglass coffee maker has two sections - the upper one where you put in the coffee grounds, pour cold water and leave overnight. And expect "uncommonly smooth gourmet" coffee to collect in the lower section as you walk in the next morning. Apparently, the cold brewing cuts out the acidity in the coffee by almost 70%, and gives a brew that's "distinctively smooth with a full bodied rich flavor and a sweeter taste profile" than when hot brewed. That also means you can refrigerate and reuse the coffee, simply because there's little acid to ruin the taste over time. The coffee maker is spill-proof, shatter-proof and uses a permanent stainless steel filter inside so you don't have to buy paper filters either.

Just make sure you set up your coffee before you pop those lights off, or you might miss your morning cuppa. Costs $69.95.

Via The Gadgeteer.

Vertu fits bling into a clamshell, releases Constellation Ayxta luxury phones

Would you believe it if we were to tell you that Vertu has released its first clamshell phone? No wait, let us rephrase that. Would you believe it if we were to tell you that Vertu has released its first clamshell phone for - as the promos say - the "global citizen"? You would, only, now you would wonder if you can dare to belong to this mysterious genre called "global citizen" given Vertu's historical exclusivity.

And we'd hate to tell you that most of us don't. Vertu's latest phone series - Constellation F Ayxta - is still as untouchable to common folks as ever. It is Vertu's first clamshell, and is made from expensive materials that include stainless steel, ceramic, leather, sapphire crystal (for the display) and aerospace grade aluminum parts. For those who didn't flinch, the Ayxta sports a 3MP camera with dual LED flash, GPS, 3G HSDPA, microSD card support, and an application called "City Brief" that apparently provides “restaurant recommendations, the latest exhibitions, shopping guides and important cultural etiquette tips.” Grooming that maybe crucial to look worthy of the luxury that you are flaunting, eh?

The Constellation Ayxta series is priced between €4,900 ($7,178) and €6,500 ($9,522). So there goes affordability outta the door.

Via TechFresh.

Linux Foundation aims to boost membership with new perks

In an effort to expand its ranks, the Linux Foundation has improved its selection of perks for members. New perks include hardware discounts and the availability of a lifetime e-mail forwarding account at the linux.com domain.

The LF was formed in 2007 when the Open Source Development Labs merged with the Free Standards Group. The organization is responsible for maintaining the Linux Standard Base (LSB) project and also employs Linux creator Linus Torvalds. The group has largely been funded by its corporate sponsors, which include many of the largest companies in the technology industry. Last year, the LF launched an individual membership program, inviting Linux enthusiasts to pay annual dues for various privileges.

Members receive a linux.com e-mail forwarding account and discounts on various conferences hosted by the foundation. The LF obtained the linux.com domain from SourceForge, Inc. earlier this year and has been transforming it into an information hub and social network for the Linux community. The e-mail addresses are not permanent, however, and could disappear if the user neglects to pay the annual dues.

In a bid to increase its membership, the foundation has added several new perks. One of the changes is that users can now pay a flat one-time fee to make the e-mail address permanent. Existing members can get the lifetime e-mail address for $150. New members can get a package of one-year membership and lifetime e-mail for $250. Regular annual dues are $99. Another significant new perk is hardware discounts from Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

I’ve been eyeing Dell’s new 537s with Ubuntu, so I decided to put the new Linux Foundation membership discount to the test. The discount is offered through Dell’s Employee Purchase Program (EPP). Ironically, I had serious difficulty finding the Linux-based computers through Dell’s EPP storefront (you can’t get the discount if you just aim your browser directly at dell.com/ubuntu). “Linux” isn’t included in the “Operating System” filter at the EPP portal (though, surprisingly, FreeDOS is). I eventually found the tiny “Open-Source PCs” link towards the bottom of the left-hand column. The discount from Dell is roughly 7 percent, but it’s a pretty nice deal because it stacks with other discounts and coupon codes.

Members also get discounts on O’Reilly and No Starch Press books, Linux Journal Subscriptions, and some ThinkGeek.com purchases. For Linux enthusiasts who regularly buy computer hardware and other discounted stuff, the $99 membership fee could pay for itself pretty quickly. The lifetime e-mail offering, on the other hand, doesn’t seem all that appealing. $150 is a lot to pay for a mere forwarding service.

As the economic downturn compels people to close their wallets, nonprofit organizations have been exploring ways to entice supporters to continue contributing financial resources. Some open source groups have come up with interesting solutions. The GNOME Foundation, for example, has a special Friends of GNOME program that allows contributors to “adopt” their favorite GNOME hacker by supplying a small monthly donation. The Participatory Culture Foundation, the organization behind the Miro media player, launched a program that allows donors to adopt a line of code. The LF membership program lacks the cuteness and novelty of those approaches, but it makes up for it by offering pretty solid perks.

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Humanoid robot Saya plays receptionist at Tokyo store

If you had walked into Takashimaya - Tokyo's premium retail store - anytime during October 14th to 18th, you would have been greeted rather mechanically. No, not a figure of speech, just the bare truth. For the receptionist at Takashimaya was Saya - the speech-capable robot created by Professor Hiroshi Kobayashi from the Tokyo University of Science.

This "female" robot has been designed to provide about 700 programmed responses to questions and commands - enough to direct customers to the appropriate floor, make small talk(!), and answer a few basic questions about herself and her background. And to help her pull off the con are pneumatic actuators in Saya’s head which allow her to move her neck, mouth and eyes while she speaks, and to also create facial expressions ranging from happiness and surprise to sadness and anger.

Now imagine what made her angry. The compliment "You are pretty" to which she replied scornfully "Are you crazy?". Whoever said "Vanity, thy name is woman", take it back.

Via Pink Tentacle.

Sony's S Series Walkman: The S is for Style

Sony's new S Series Walkman Video MP3 players have just hit stores and they're looking mighty fine. Available in 8 and 16GB, the S Series is a stylish, affordable option for the overcrowded MP3 player market. At W 1 3/4 x H 3 5/8 x D 5/16 inches and weighing in at a mere 1.6 oz, the S series is the thinnest Walkman to date, but let its slight frame fool you, this Walkman has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Want to live out those latent DJ fantasies? Now you can thanks to the high quality, built-in “Digital Linear Phase Speaker System” that lets you share your great taste in music with others. In addition to the speakers, Sony has also added their patented “Clear Audio” technology to ensure listeners get quality playback every time.

The MP3 player also comes equipped with an FM tuner with the added bonus of an FM recording feature that allows users to record songs from the radio, just like we used to do in the good old days with tape decks and cassettes. There's also a voice recording feature so you can record memos and reminders. The S Series is compatible with iTunes 8.1 so songs can be transferred using the Content Transfer feature or use can just drag and drop what they need onto the device.

Epson's PictureMate Charm personal photo printer looks as pretty as a picture

Photo labs get a few zillion degrees closer to extinction since the time Epson announced this latest news-grabber - the PictureMate Charm personal photo printer this morning. So the next time you find yourself at a party or just an unexpected get-together at home, all you need to distribute high-resolution (5760 x 1440 dpi), 4 x 6-inch full color prints in under 37 seconds is to press a few buttons on the PictureMate Charm.

The highest resolution printer in its category, the PictureMate Charm comes with ink and 100 sheets of either glossy or matte-finish 4x6-inch photo paper and boasts built-in auto photo correction and red-eye removal. You can also get an add-on Bluetooth adapter using which you can get prints straight out of Bluetooth cellphones and other Bluetooth compatible devices such as PDAs. The printer also supports direct printing from memory cards. Well we know what you must be thinking - yes, of course it allows for different color tones such as black and white, sepia, or color and the option to switch between popular photo layouts.

And most important - all these nifty features don't take the PictureMate Charm out of the common man's reach. It is very affordably priced at $150, and will be available from Epson online.

Via Crave.

Dell Pulls Bait and Switch with Adamo Laptop

Imagine my joy to see the news about the new Adamo XPS from Dell. At an astonishing 9.99 mm, it looks like it will definitely be a sight to behold whenever Dell stops being coy with the details. My morning techie glow was dashed to pieces when I went over to Engadget and read about Dell's other news.

Apparently, the powers that be at Del thought it would be a great idea to team up with nail polish maker OPI to create 26 new colors and patterns for the Dell Design Studio. I mean it's great that you can coordinate your laptop with your favorite nail color, but with news of the Adamo scares, this seems like a total letdown.

MyTouch 3G Gets the Oprah Seal of Approval

The power of Oprah compels you...to buy books, support her causes, and now to buy cell phones. To celebrate her 24 years on the air dispensing advice and controlling the world through subliminal messages and free gifts, the big O has decided to reward her loyal fans. During her 24 Season Kick-Off Party, on September 8th she's announced that she's giving her fans the chance to purchase T-Mobile's new myTouch 3G for the Oprahriffic price of $99.

All Oprah loyalists have to do is enter the promotional code “kickoff24? at the checkout screen at T-Mobile.com and $100 is magically shaved off the price. You do of course, have to be a new T-Mobile customer and be willing to commit to T-Mobile for two years. C'mon, you knew there had to be a catch somewhere.

The offer is valid until September 24th. So now you have a decision to make. Do you jump on this discount like the last chopper out of 'Nam and get a myTouch or do you hold out for one of the hotter Android phones like HTC Hero or the Motorola Cliq? Choose wisely.

iphone Oh, My Word! Sequel with ngmoco’s Plus+

Bristol, UK, 13th October 2009 – Tap ‘n’ Slide and B-Boy Brawl developers Mobile Pie today announced a sequel to their acclaimed iPhone and iPod touch word puzzler, Oh, My Word!

Oh, My Word! 2 follows on from the brain-box bendingly simple yet highly-addictive original, with Time Attack and Survival featuring alongside the Classic mode. The sequel also brings with it integration with the Plus+ Network.

Mobile Pie’s Creative Producer Will Luton said:
“Oh, My Word! 2 has been an absolute labour of love for us, we’ve enjoyed every minute of creating and playing this sequel and having the Plus+ Network is a real honor.”
The Plus+ Network is a social play service free to players that harnesses the iPhone OS 3.0 technology and enables players to create a persistent profile, challenge friends via social channels, compete for leaderboard glory, participate in game events and discover new games.

“We’ve built upon the original concept with Plus+ in mind, but it was a match made in heaven anyway because it straight away adds an entirely new competitive level to the fun”, said Luton.

Oh, My Word! 2 will be available at the nominal price of 59p / 99c or for free as an stripped down version featuring only the Classic game mode (Oh, My Word! 2 Free).
It is expected that OMW!2 will be released early November, however Mobile Pie are offering ad hoc preview version to selected media partners. Please contact Will Luton (will@mobilepie.com / (+44) 01173155228) for further details.

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iphone Oh, My Word! Sequel with ngmoco’s Plus+

PlayStation's New PSP is a "Go"

The PSP Go hits stores today for $249.99. Billing itself as "the smallest and mightiest PSP system yet", the Go comes with 16GB of memory and is the first handheld gaming console to break the bonds of cartridges and discs going totally digital. According to PlayStation.com, gamers can access 225 games and over 16,000 pieces of content from the PlayStation Store.

Approximately 43% smaller than previous PSP models, the Go weighs in a barely there 158g and is very pocket-friendly at 128 mm (W) x 69 mm (H) x 16.5 mm. The 3.8-inch screen with 480 x 272p resolution slides up to reveal the controls where I see Sony has decided to stick with the one analog stick model (sigh). Bluetooth and WiFi enabled gamers should be able to get their game on whenever and wherever the urge strikes as well as stay connected with friends via Skype.

Besides the steep price tag, the only drawback is that a way for owners of previous PSP models to transfer their UMD games over to the Go has yet to appear. Other than that, the Go appears to be a pretty solid piece of hardware with a lot of content to keep customers hungry for more.

MinoHD's New Attitude

As the market for affordable, easy to use, pocket camcorders has become more competitive, one can't simply rest on it's laurels and rake in the dough. Feeling the hot breath from Apple, Kodak, and JVC on the nape of its neck, Flip is coming out swinging. Almost a year after its debut, the Flip MinoHD is back with some awesome upgrades.

Billing itself as "the world's sleekest HD camcorder", the MinoHD is definitely a looker with it's brushed metal front and rounded edges. If you're tired of the same old black and white gadgets, you can always spruce up your Flip using the pattern generator, design gallery or even use one of your own images to give it that unique bit of panache that you're looking for.

Looks aside, the second generation Mino comes with twice the storage space (4GB to 8GB) which translates into twice the recording time (60 mins to 120 mins). In addition, the MinoHD also has a larger screen than the previous model. Like its predecessor, the 2nd gen MinoHD still shoots video at 720p at 30fps. And with the 2X digital zoom, you can rest assured that the video quality is still there.

Bayer's Contour USB Meter Empowers Patients

If you're living with diabetes or knows someone who is, you know how vital keeping track of every test and every shot of insulin can be -- it's the ultimate case of knowledge is power. For those that with the disease that must test their blood sugars levels regularly, Bayer has released the Bayer Contour USB Meter. The first of its kind, the USB meter is the first blood glucose meter that plugs into a computer for quick and accurate data management for optimal diabetes management.

Simple to use, the patient simply insert a test strip into the meter and take their test as usual. The Contour gives the test results on the easy to read color OLED display and logs it for later use. Able to hold up to 2,000 test results, the devices is a great way to track blood glucose patterns which can be a boon to both doctors and patients. Based on Bayer's CONTOUR system, the meter utilizes the incredibly accurate No Coding technology for results patients can trust. Bayer also added the AutoLog feature that allows users to mark their tests as Before Meal or After Meal for more detailed records.

Mintpad gets attainable, UK is lucky first on the list

Remember all the gushing we did about Mintpad - the cute touchscreen PMP from Mintpass? Then allow us a bit more, thrilled as we are that the little one has come several degrees closer from where it first debuted, albeit a little inconspicuously for the world to take notice of the great potential. Mintpad is now on sale in the UK, in a 4GB avatar that leaves little to be desired.

The specifications : WinCE OS, 2.9-inch LCD touchscreen display, 1.3 MP camera, 4GB internal storage, microSD slot, WiFi, USB 1.1/2.0 interface, voice recording, and support for most audio/video file formats. Plus, there is the chat facility that enables you to chat with other Mintpad-ers within a 98 feet radius, without the need to connect to the internet. The battery life is approximately 30 hours of audio or 5-6 hours of video.

Definitely the first address if you are looking for a media player cum smart digital assistant. The asking price for the device in the UK is £139, which translates to $229 on American shores.

Via Engadget.

Blockbuster OnDemand lands on TiVo

Broadband-connected TiVo DVR subscribers have access to Blockbuster’s long-awaited OnDemand rental service, TiVo announced on Tuesday.

The service is available to owners of TiVo Series2 and TiVo Series3 digital-video recorders (including the TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL).

According to the company, users will be able to stream films ranging from new releases to classics. Users will be charged $2.99 for classic hits and $3.99 for new releases. Blockbuster will be adding more films over the coming weeks, including “select HD titles.”

As part of the agreement, Blockbuster will also begin selling TiVo DVRs in “thousands” of participating Blockbuster stores around the United States.

Blockbuster OnDemand’s arrival on the TiVo (and TiVo’s arrival in Blockbuster stores, for that matter) has been a long time coming. The partnership was first announced in March.

Whether Blockbuster will enjoy success on the TiVo is up for debate. The company’s main competitor, Netflix, is already streaming films and television shows to TiVos for no additional fee beyond the company’s unlimited-plan charges. Amazon Video On Demand is also available to TiVo users, and like Blockbuster, it, too, allows them to purchase individual videos, rather than pay a monthly subscription fee.

TiVo owners can also access content from YouTube, as well as films through Jaman and CinemaNow’s Disney.

To access Blockbuster OnDemand, users will first need to create a Blockbuster account. Once complete, they can access Blockbuster OnDemand content from the TiVo’s video-on-demand menu.

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Super charger for iPhone delivers a 3000mAh punch, and a hole in your carry bag

Okay, that was an exaggeration. But really, the first statement that caught my eyes as they rolled over the specs for this iPhone charger called iPa was the line "Super Capacity - 3000mAh, make your iPhone as a whole day parter." Though it took me a long while to recover from the initial blow that the name delivered (who would think of calling it "iPa"?!), it took me even longer to understand the above statement.

Just grammar or Freudian slip, you decide. Nevertheless, our conscience does not permit us to trail off without presenting both sides of the coin, so be informed that this $60 "super charger" promises to extend your iPhone (3G, 3GS) talktime by 8.5hrs, online time by 8.5hrs and video playback time by a whopping 11hrs. All carefully "estimated", ofcourse. And to say the least, the specs are mighty confusing - once we figure out how a device that measures 11.5 cm x 6.6 cm x 2.4 cm in dimensions can be described as being not bulky, but just a "little" extension to the iPhone, will we go back to understand the more complicated statement that we started off with.

Via CrunchGear.

Yahoo Class Action Settlement Is Bad News For Domainers!

DirectNavigation.com wrote today about a notice that went out to anyone who advertised with Yahoo or the its prior service GoTo.com, on its PPC program(s) anytime from May 1, 2000 until September 22, 2009.

That’s a lot of advertisers.

The class action arose out of a suit by advertisers against Yahoo, alleging that Yahoo:

“””breached its contract with its customers by allowing Yahoo! ads to be displayed in spyware, domain name parking sites (also known as bulk registration sites), pop-ups, pop-unders, and typosquatting sites. Plaintiffs brought claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, and unfair business practices.””

According to the settlement each advertiser is entitled to receive the earth shattering sum of $20.

Right $20 USD.

The lawyers, well they are getting only $4,170,000.00, in fees, plus reimbursement of expenses of approximately $100,000.

But I digress.

Back to how this settlement is bad news for domainers.

In settling this case, Yahoo basically agrees to allow advertisers to basically opt out of the domain channel starting sometime next year:
“””Yahoo! has agreed to develop and offer a new ad placement option that will enable Yahoo! Ad customers to control where their Yahoo! Ads appear.””

“”The Ad Placement Option will allow Yahoo! Ad customers to specify that their Sponsored Search ads should be displayed only on websites and other Internet properties owned or operated by Yahoo!, and the websites of certain “Premium” distribution partners.””

“”Yahoo! has agreed to make best efforts to launch the Ad Placement Option as early as the first quarter of 2010, but in no event later than September 30, 2010.””

“”Yahoo! will maintain the Ad Placement Option for at least two years from the date of its launch.”””

Moreover Yahoo says this change will carry over to its deal with Microsoft.

“”Microsoft will agree to implement ad distribution controls on the Microsoft paid search platform””

The problem is that there is general perception that the domain channel is full of typo traffic and generally undesirable traffic, as alleged in the lawsuit.

Unless Yahoo ad executive are trained to understand and educate their advertisers as to the difference between opting out of the domain channel completely, rather than selectively, keeping ads up on generic domains geared toward their business, all domains will suffer.

By the way, if you were an advertiser and want to check in on that $20 windfall, you need to submit a claim online by March 22, 2010.

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BodyGuard Pro helps you shield your camera even with the lens on

The situation is this. You are not completely done with your shots, but you just want to set down your camera for a while, and still not worry about getting it scratched or even detaching the lens. The solution comes in the form of this handy accessory called the LensCoat BodyGuard Pro - a smart body cover that protects your camera so that you get quick storage when you want to stow it temporarily, and hassle free removal when you want to use the camera again.

The BodyGuard Pro is made from soft shock-absorbing neoprene and slides over the camera body even with the lens left in place. It fits almost all the major pro SLR and semi-pro SLR cameras - even those with extended power winders or with L-brackets mounted. For an extra $5 on the base price, the cover is also available as a variant with grips attached - which means you can slide your fingers through the grips and use the camera without removing the cover.

The BodyGuard Pro is available in five different designs at a price range between $28.95 and $44.99.

Via The Red Ferret.

An easy, healthy way to lose weight. Really.

Dieters have long been advised to eat more fiber. Now there's a bit of evidence that increasing your fiber consumption can indeed help you lose weight.

The Eating Well blog is reporting on a study that has refined that advice into a formula: Add 8 grams of fiber for every 1000 calories you consume. In the study, women who did that lost an average of 4 1/2 lbs in less than 2 years.

I know, I know, it ain't all that much. But adding fiber is pretty painless and often pleasant--and fiber, as we know, is also very healthful for, ahem, other reasons.

Eating Well appends a short list of fiber-rich foods. I see that a cup of raspberries has 8 grams of fiber. Yum yum.

So if I just turn that hot fudge sundae into a hot-fudge-and-raspberry sundae, I should come out even, right? And yet somehow I don't think it would work that way.....

Ora concept watch puts time on loopy rolls of tape

I think I just discovered the reason behind this wildly growing breed of unusual timepieces that promise to somehow make our experience of time lapse more interesting, and perhaps more tolerable. Well, blame it on the science called "Haute Horlogerie" - a field that specializes in the art of complicated watch making with the intention to replace the conventional dial arrangement of ordinary mechanical watches with a totally novel concept of time display.

And into that exclusive category goes this totally first-rate concept watch called Ora. Designed by Greek designer Alexandros Stasinopoulos, Ora throws out the conventional dial completely, and instead replaces it with 3 rolls of interconnected measuring tape arranged diagonally above a gear mechanism. The rolls indicate the hour, minute, and day as they are pulled to correct position by the motorized gears below. Awesome or what. Pity you cannot put your hand through one just yet, the Ora is currently only a concept.

Catch some more images after the break.

Via technabob.

H1N1, swine flu, Bill Maher, and U

Comedian/pundit/talk show host Bill Maher has reportedly tweeted that folks who get vaccinated against the new H1N1 ("swine") flu are idiots. Medical wisdom in 140 characters? Or is Maher, the twit, the real idiot?

Before you get swept away in an anti-vaccine frenzy, you might want to consult what www.flu.gov has to say. That's the US government's official take on the imminent flu season, complete with characters from Sesame Street. There's plenty of stuff for grown-ups too: what to do if you get flu-like symptoms, what pregnant women should know, places to get vaccinated against both seasonal flu and H1N1, and lots more.

This is a two-flu year, with H1N1 piling on top of the regular old seasonal flu that kills plenty of people on its own. There are different vaccines against these different diseases. Each flu tends to attack different groups, as I explained a few weeks ago.

LaCie launches Sound2 designer speakers, keeps it within affordable reach

Those glamor kids at LaCie have created something eye-catching again. This time, it is a pair of gorgeous high-end speakers called Sound2, designed by Neil Poulton in collaboration with acoustic engineering company Cabasse.

The Sound2 speakers not only look like a pair of conventional loudspeakers as they rest on your desk, but also claim high quality sound because they use the same sound engineering technology that is built into Cabasse's high-end loudspeakers. The setup itself is a no-brainer - the speakers connect rather simply to your computer via USB or to audio/video devices such as MP3 players and PMPs via the line-in port, with no driver installations being required. What you get under the hood is a Class D Digital Amplifier, magnetic shielding, a bass reflex system, and a 30W total peak output. The speakers also have built-in USB cable, and a dual power mode which means you can use them with a USB cable or with the included power supply.

The Sound2 speakers will be available through LaCie online, or in stores at a price of £89 (about USD $142).

Via Pocket-lint.

Elekit tube amplifier is the most gorgeous sound equipment we ever set eyes on

Of all the gadgets that tempt and goad us into poetry (sometimes unintended) while we bring to you the fascinating world of personal electronics, the least we expected to jump into the category was an audio amplifier. But it has happened so, and we couldn't help but be blown over. Completely.

The Elekit EK amplifier is a classic case of ugly-duckling-turns-awesome-swan in the history of amplifiers. It is a vacuum tube hybrid stereo amplifier designed by Koichi Futatsumata, and manufactured by Japanese audio equipment manufacturer Case Real, for the high-end audio electronics company Elekit. That a byproduct of the design motto to make an audio amplifier that would appeal to the younger generation. Sleek steel casing, hidden circuitry and mechanical parts, and all user interaction accomplished with just two aluminium dials sums up this great design. And the specs are overshadowed, if not completely outdone - output power of 10 + 10 Watts, sensitivity rating of 560mV (RCA jacks), 180mV (mini phone jack for your PMP), and 5Hz - 50kHz frequency response band.

Now for the sad news - not only is the sale of the Elekit EK amplifier "yet undecided", but even otherwise you may be far too bank-unworthy to be considered.

Via CrunchGear.

Always Innovating Creates Two-Piece Netbook

As netbooks continue to flood the market, it's getting increasingly difficult to tell one comp from another. You know what that means: time for some gimmicks! While some are more useful than others, when a tech market becomes overly saturated, product-makers start pulling out the flashy bells and whistles to capture consumer attention.

Such is the case with Always Innovating's latest netbook, the Touchbook. This new entry into the netbook market essential combines a netbook and a tablet. Using a detachable keyboard and a 3D touchscreen, the Touchbook is as versatile as a three-piece suit. According to Touchbook creator and Always Innovating founder, Grégoire Gentil, "You can use it as a netbook computer, a hand-held game machine, or a video player. You can even reverse the keyboard to prop it up on a table in an inverted 'V'. Finally, because it is magnetic, you can remove the keyboard and put the tablet on the fridge to serve as a kitchen computer or digital frame."

Joey Roth's Ceramic Speakers up for pre-order now

Joey Roth's Ceramic Speakers will surely blow you away with their looks, if not with their music, considering that these low powered speakers are made to design perfection using porcelain, cork and birch wood. The Ceramic Speakers have a low 15W output per channel and custom-made 4-inch sound drivers neatly housed within a porcelain and cork enclosure. A combination, that apparently promises to reveal every fine nuance of the music that the speaker belts out. The design is elegant to the last detail - so much so that even the usually plain-looking connectors have a distinct radiant finish and are left open to enhance the system's chic looks.

With the designer tag however comes the designer price - the first 200 speakers are up for pre-order now at a price of $495 a pair, and will be shipped out in early November. Sigh. During my childhood, all fairy tales had a happy ending.

Via Boing Boing Gadgets.

Corsair 128GB Flash Voyager thumb drive is big but not clumsy

Corsair is out with its new offering - the 128GB Flash Voyager GT thumb-drive, supposed to be the fastest in the world. Only, our computers will not be able to handle one yet, as the company claims that the 32MB/s read and 25.6MB/s write speeds are held in check by the rather unsympathetic "USB2.0 bus and the operating system overheads".

Nevertheless, this future-ready thumb drive is rubber-clad for durability, water-resistant and clocks speeds that are nearly twice that of rival high-performance drives. Even so, it comes with a 10-year warranty. By the end of which you will probably find out for yourself if the proposed limitations on its performance did really exist. Though the Corsair drive is available now, you will have some scouring to do, as few retailers are offering it, and with a hefty price tag of $390 whereabouts.

Via Slashgear.

Smell Like Star Trek

Comic Con may be over, but you can keep the aroma of awesomness alive long after the last display has been packed up and the last wanna-be Kirk has crawled back into his basement until next year. Fragrance maker Genki Wear, has made it's mark on geeky pop culture with their Star Trek-themed colognes and perfumes.

The company unleashed a new cologne on the smelly masses to commemorate Comic Con 2009. The fragrance dubbed KHAAANN!! (no, this is not a joke, this is the actual name of the cologne) after the glistening-chested, revenge seeking Khan Noonien Singh, one of Ricardo Montalbán's greatest roles. While the limited-edition fragance is undeniably cool, no woman wants to go around smelling of Star Trek and Fantasy Island.

Kudamemo: Delicious fruit slices can be your memo(ry) aids

The last thing you would want to do with such gorgeous fruit is feed them to that unforgiving abyss called the stomach. And that too when they can sit so pretty on your table, radiating a mysterious sense of calm each time you steal a glance. Which is why someone has already ensured that these beauties are not at all edible, to begin with. These "slices" of fruit (apple and pear) are post-it note dispensers called Kudamemo.

Amazed, huh? Not surprising at all, this great design by D-BROS caught us unawares too. These beautiful memo dispensers derive the name Kudamemo from the Japanese word for fruit, "Kudamono". Each fruit can dispense 150 mini memos which aren't self-sticking like their clinical 3M cousins. But really, that's little worry considering that it is a piece of art on your desktop that we are looking at, isn't it?

A single "fruit" can be ordered at 1,890 yen ($20) or a crate of 6 at 11,340 yen ($120) that comes complete with a cardboard casing within which the fruits lie cuddled in their nets. "Eating" healthy cannot get better or easier than this. Contact Rinkya Stores for ordering information.

Via Inventorspot.

Pure Sensia: A Treat for the Ears and Hands

PURE, maker of the wildly popular Flip HD video camcorders is giving the radio a much needed upgrade. The PURE Sensia takes DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and WiFi and brings them under one futuristic looking roof, the first radio to do so. Just turn on the Sensia and the WiFi will stream internet radio and podcasts from all over the web. In addition you can also tap into your computer or storage device and stream music to the Sensia. And if you need a little white noise to soothe your frazzled nerves,check out Pure Sounds "unique soundscapes created by PURE to stimulate, inspire and relax."

The Sensia also comes with a generous 5.7-inch, 640 x 480 pixel high res touchscreen display handy for navigating lists, shifting controls, and scrolling through all the widgets and apps. That's right, the Sensia has a bunch of PURE Apps including Facebook, Twitter, and Picasa, so you can stay connected to all your friends as you enjoy some tuneage. You can also check out station slideshows or album artwork upping your tactile enjoyment.

Fitbit Keeps You Honest About Fitness

On the road to fitness, making the initial decision is easy, putting in the actual work is the tricky part. If you're looking for some statistical motivation you might want to check out the Fitbit.The device accurately tracks, calories burned, distance traveled, and even hours slept.

According to the website, Fitbit uses 3D motion sensor technology similar to the Nintendo Wii to track movement in three dimensions creating an accurate report on your daily exercise activities. The collected data is collected every time you walk by the wireless base included in the setup.

A little larger than a quarter, the Fitbit can be clipped to the waist of your pants, slipped into a wallet, or attached to the included wristband to record your every move. Retailing at $99, the Fitbit is a nifty device that can help kick your exercise regiment into the next gear.

Via Engadget

Battery Wizard snaps disposable batteries out of their slumber

The association between batteries and geeks is like a romance between "two young star-cross'd lovers", to take a little help from Shakespeare. Only, the relationship is most certainly polygamous. For, every geek in his lifetime depends on hundreds of different kinds of 'em lovely batteries to maintain his identity. Now, this is where we want to step in and reduce those that he's not taking seriously - the "disposable" ones, you see.

The Battery Wizard has the same noble intent as it turns out a unique battery recharger - one that can recharge both disposable as well as rechargeable Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9v block). Interesting huh? The Battery Wizard can apparently extend the life of standard alkaline batteries by up to 10 times by "reconditioning" them - a process whereby the "batteries' valuable chemical contents are fully utilized". There is an LCD screen that indicates the status of each one of the 4 batteries that you can load at one time. Faulty batteries are rejected and completely dead ones are ignored, if you will.

And don't you worry - the device has been certified for safe operation according to British Standards. Clap, clap.

Available from Gizoo for around $42.

Via The Red Ferret.

Liquid Wood could soon nudge out plastic from homes

Soon, it maybe easier to "green" up your home by doing away with plastic and bringing in household items made from a natural alternative. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in Pfinztal, Germany are hard at work trying to make a substance called "Liquid Wood" a reality for household use. This substance, whose actual name is Arboform, is derived from a material called lignin that is leftover during the paper-making process in cellulose industries. Lignin is then mixed with fine natural fibers made of wood, hemp or flax and natural additives such as wax to derive a plastic-like material that can be use to create household items.

It seems that Arboform is already used in car parts and other durable items, but its foray into homes had been blocked by its high sulphur content. With the current research, it has been possible to reduce the sulphur content in Arborform by about 90 percent, making it much safer for use in everyday items. And eco supporters can also be happy to know it is highly recyclable. We are living in truly exciting times.

Via Core77.

Aiptek's PenCam Trio HD is Small, Real Small

Just when you thought mini-camcorders couldn't get any smaller, here come's the PenCam HD Trio from Aiptek. The 130 x 35 x 19mm PenCam has a an equally tiny 1.1-inch OLED screen that will probably ruin your eyes. But date with the opthamologist aside, the PenCam has some pretty cool features including the ability to shoot high definition video (1280x720p) that can capture up to 30 fps.

The mini-cam can also take some decent stills thanks to the five megapixel lens. The Trio can also upload directly to YouTube and has a digital voice recorder for taking notes. There's also 4GB of memory, plenty to store all the videos, notes, and stills you can throw at it.

Available in silver, black, blue, red, and purple, the PenCam is a Windows-compatible deal. No word on pricing yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Via Engadget

Back to school and work with spiffy supplies

Back to school and back to work. SIgh. But don't lose heart: find cheerful, stylish office supplies and organizing tools at See Jane Work.

The site has a fine array of handsome basics to get you through the day: binders, notebooks, agendas and calendars, pens and pencils, school supplies, and gorgeous Moonsus bags. Also a slew of organizing tips--and even a printable ToDo list.

HP brings glamor to its netbooks, rolls out Envy 13 and Envy 15

This is exactly what it takes to get pursed lips to first gape, then air-kiss in the hope of being forgiven for their cynicism. And then grovel to be given a chance to lay their hands on something as gorgeous as the HP Envy 13.

Reed thin (0.8-inch thickness), absolutely dependable (18 hours battery life) and beautiful (3.74 pounds weight) is how you could identify this show-stopper announced by HP. The details are just as interesting too - the HP Envy 13 carries a 13.1-inch WXGA display with superior color (82% color gamut) and brightness (410 nit). The possibility of an 18-hour battery life is on account of an optional Slim Fit battery that can fit unobtrusively to bottom of the laptop and effortlessly extend the standard 7 hours battery life. Throw in an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz chip, 3GB of RAM and a 512MB ATI Mobile Radeon HD graphics card and you will realize that this stunner is more than just skin deep.

And then there is the sibling - the HP Envy 15 - that makes a much quieter, but a noticeable entry nevertheless. The Envy 15 comes with a 15.6-inch LCD display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and high-end Radeon HD 4830 graphics card. Which makes it a little heavier with the 1-inch thickness and 5.18 pounds weight, but hey, it makes big brother sturdier too. The Envy 13 is priced at $1,699 and the Envy 15 at $1,799. Both the laptops come with Windows 7 pre-loaded.

Bouncing off the walls is all you can do until October 18th when you can get a step closer to the awesome twosome.

Via Engadget, DVICE.

Women are sort of more tentative than men, aren't they?

Depends. Turns out that this is another common sex stereotype--men always state conclusions firmly while women always hedge and dither--that does not truly reflect behavior.

What makes people dithery is perceived lack of expertise when the topic under discussion is associated more with one gender than the other, according to researchers. Some topics cause women to communicate tentatively when the topic is "masculine"--like changing a tire--and firmly when it is "feminine"--like cosmetics. And vice-versa. And with some gender-neutral topics, like picking a good restaurant, both women and men appear equally tentative.

Bluetooth Mini Phone looks cute, takes away your own Martian looks

Since I have always felt rather uncomfortable with the idea of the bluetooth headset stuck in the ear, however utilitarian it happens to be, I get mighty excited when I see innovation that takes away that basic assumption. Over and above that, gizmos with a retro look cause an omission of atleast a dozen heartbeats. So quite naturally, I have fallen in love with this uber-cute bluetooth device in which blend the two aspects wonderfully - the Bluetooth Mini Phone.

This little device looks like the miniature version of a retro phone handset and can be hung around your neck on a lanyard. And like any bluetooth headset, it pairs up with your mobile phone, whose calls you then can attend by picking up the little laddie dangling around your neck and pressing the call button. The not-so-obvious advantage with this arrangement being, you can hide your shiny new mobile from prying eyes and eliminate the otherwise unsightly burden on your ear. Costs $50.

Via The Red Ferret.

Sharp NetWalker: Not Quite a Phone, Not Quite a PC

What do you get when you combine the simple operation of a cell phone with some of the performance of a PC? According to Sharp, you get their new NetWalker PC-Z1. Smaller than your average netbook, this smartbook takes the best features of your mobile phone, PC, and e-book, creating a new mobile internet tool we never knew we needed.

The 5-inch NetWalker has a 1024 x 600 LCD touchscreen display with a quick response feature that allows the smartbook to launch at a blistering 3 seconds. There is also a full QWERTY keyboard which will come in handy for emailing as well as creating spreadsheets and documents. In addition, Sharp plans to provide unique content for the device including specialized dictionaries, comics, and other literary fare turning it into a e-book/electronic dictionary.

The PC-Z1 runs on the Linux Ubuntu OS and is powered by a 800MHz Freescale i.MX515 CPU and has 512MB of RAM. It also has approximately 10 hours battery life and 4GB worth of memory that can be supplemented via the microSD Memory Card/microSDHC Memory Card slot.

Set to launch in Japan on September 25th for $478, there's no word on whether this little beauty will be reaching U.S. shores anytime soon.

Via Akihabara News

Monster Wants You to Feel Lady Gaga's Heartbeat

You've heard of Beats by Dr. Dre, the high-end headphones that are the brainchild of rapper Dr. Dre, Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine and headphone makers Monster? The top of the line headphones are specially designed to pick up every nuance of your favorite music, enhancing the listening experience. Maybe the Hip-Hop stylings of the legendary rapper/producer aren't your cup of tea, but what about the synth-heavy dance tracks of Lady Gaga? The "Just Dance" singer has teamed with "Beats by Dre" to announce the next line in the popular Beats series, the "Heartbeats by Lady Gaga".

Set to hit stores in October, the Heartbeats are a brilliant mashup of technology and fashion. Noel Lee, Head Monster, noted: "Heartbeats not only had to look great, they had to sound great. Using Monster's latest headphone technologies, that vision comes true. There is no headphone that sounds quite like it, regardless of price..."

Belkin Acessorizes for a Good Cause

Breast cancer continues to be a serious threat to women in the United States. And it's important that we work together to find a cure for this devastating disease. To that end, Belkin, best known for its various accessories designed for consumer electronics will be continue its support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with its latest iPod cases.

Designed for the 2nd generation iPod Touch, the two cases are stylish and elegant. Both the DualFit and the Grip are done in a black and pink ribbon motif. The DualFit is a machine washable rmband that can fit comfortably on either arm, while the Grip clips effortlessly onto the back of the Touch.

The Path to Nirvana is in Your Bathroom

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, Nivana is "a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality." It has also been described as heaven or pure bliss. Fitting then that this beauty of a bathtub has been christened the Nirvana bathtub. This spa-level bathroom fixture lights your personal path to enlightenment via strategically placed LEDs that give the impression that you're bathing among the stars.

But the Nirvana bathtub is more than luxury covered in pretty lights. It's also eco-friendly, using approximately 60% less water than comparable tubs of its size due largely to the shallow high-grade translucent acrylic shape. In addition, the Nirvana features touch controls via a panel that controls an electronic tap and automatic water fill/stop function. Other controls include the motion sensitive hand shower, activated by a simple wave of a hand and the light controls, because sometimes you Nirvana is best reached without all the fanfare.

No word yet on whether this luxe tub is destined to remain a concept or whether it will be helping bathrooms worldwide transcend their lowly existence.

Via Born Rich

The death toll from avoidable medical errors

Quickly now, which causes more deaths in the US every year: avoidable medical errors or auto accidents?

I guessed auto accidents too, probably because car carnage is in the headlines every day. But a new study reports that it's medical errors. They're responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, the study says. And these are all preventable deaths.

More widespread technology for linking medical records, which is supposed to be part of that health insurance reform legislation currently being "debated" at top volume all over the country, might help prevent errors. But it might not. One expert says there are a growing number of reports of medical mistakes due to computer errors.

Read all about it at Scientific American's 60-second Science Blog.